Services

Full details of submarine shooting to be heard

THE details of how a hero sailor was killed in a shooting on a nuclear submarine docked in Southampton will be heard today.

Atwo-week inquest into the death of Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux on board HMS Astute last April will be held at Southampton Coroner’s Court.

The 36-year-old father-of-four this year posthumously received the George Medal – the second highest civilian award for gallantry, belowthe George Cross.

As reported, he was killed when he ignored the obvious risk to his own safety as he tried to stop Able Seaman Ryan Donovan, who had begun shooting a semiautomatic rifle on board the submarine while it was on a formal visit to Southampton.

The officer, with 20 years of experience in the Navy, was shot in the side of the head at point blank range as he rushed towards the gunman, who had been acting as sentry on the vessel.

Donovan was eventually overpowered by the then leader of Southampton City Council Royston Smith and chief executive Alistair Neill, who had been on a civic tour of the submarine.

In September last year, Donovan was sentenced to at least 25 years behind bars after admitting the murder of Lt-Cdr Molyneux, and the attempted murder of two other officers.

Winchester Crown Court heard Donovan was as an “immature” fan of violent computer games and gangster rap who failed to cope with the stresses of cramped submarine life.

Despite spending four years in the Royal Navy, the then-22- year-old able seaman was said to have struggled to deal with the strict authority of the armed services and resented those he believed had unfairly targeted him.

Under the nickname “Reggie Moondog”, Donovan, from Dartford, Kent, wrote rap songs with lyrics about guns and killing, including a reference to the SA80 rifle he was to later use on his murderous rampage.

The court heard Donovan had repeatedly spoken of his desire to kill, and just hours before his terrifying gun frenzy he told a colleague he would shoot someone that day – advising him to “watch the news” later.

Donovan was said to suffer no mental illness, and far from being a crazed loner, was popular with many friends, relatives and colleagues, but saw “no way out”

of his predicament.

Angry at missing out on a draft to another ship after getting into trouble and facing military imprisonment for refusing orders over cleaning duty, he decided to kill the officers he held responsible.

He waited two days for the chance to murder Petty Officer Christopher Brown and Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, after which he planned to turn the gun on himself.

But his revenge mission failed when his shots missed the officers, and courageous Lt-Cdr Molyneux, from Wigan, Lancashire, made his fatal intervention.

Comments

News Fanatic
8:48am Wed 2 Jan 13

I hope the RN has learned from this dreadful case. Surely the mental well-being of those entrusted with guns should be assessed more carefully. Handing a lethal weapon to someone with problems in that regard is asking for trouble.

I hope the RN has learned from this dreadful case. Surely the mental well-being of those entrusted with guns should be assessed more carefully. Handing a lethal weapon to someone with problems in that regard is asking for trouble.News Fanatic

I hope the RN has learned from this dreadful case. Surely the mental well-being of those entrusted with guns should be assessed more carefully. Handing a lethal weapon to someone with problems in that regard is asking for trouble.

Score: 0

freemantlegirl2
9:01am Wed 2 Jan 13

I agree News fan plus awareness around comments made, like telling someone he would shoot a gun soon. people don't just go round saying that... So sorry for all concerned, a terrible tragedy that in all honesty never should have happened.

I agree News fan plus awareness around comments made, like telling someone he would shoot a gun soon. people don't just go round saying that... So sorry for all concerned, a terrible tragedy that in all honesty never should have happened.freemantlegirl2

I agree News fan plus awareness around comments made, like telling someone he would shoot a gun soon. people don't just go round saying that... So sorry for all concerned, a terrible tragedy that in all honesty never should have happened.

Score: 0

freefinker
9:58am Wed 2 Jan 13

.. I presume southy will be called to give the 'secret' evidence he has frequently spouted in these columns.

.. I presume southy will be called to give the 'secret' evidence he has frequently spouted in these columns.freefinker

.. I presume southy will be called to give the 'secret' evidence he has frequently spouted in these columns.

Score: 0

southy
12:04pm Wed 2 Jan 13

freemantlegirl2 wrote…

I agree News fan plus awareness around comments made, like telling someone he would shoot a gun soon. people don't just go round saying that... So sorry for all concerned, a terrible tragedy that in all honesty never should have happened.

It do seem to be odd that FM2, it do sound like he was a bit unstable.

[quote][p][bold]freemantlegirl2[/bold] wrote:
I agree News fan plus awareness around comments made, like telling someone he would shoot a gun soon. people don't just go round saying that... So sorry for all concerned, a terrible tragedy that in all honesty never should have happened.[/p][/quote]It do seem to be odd that FM2, it do sound like he was a bit unstable.southy

freemantlegirl2 wrote…

I agree News fan plus awareness around comments made, like telling someone he would shoot a gun soon. people don't just go round saying that... So sorry for all concerned, a terrible tragedy that in all honesty never should have happened.

It do seem to be odd that FM2, it do sound like he was a bit unstable.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here